A network of integrate and fire neurons for visual selection

Biological systems have facility to capture salient object(s) in a given scene, but it is still a difficult task to be accomplished by artificial vision systems. In this paper a visual selection mechanism based on the integrate and fire neural network is proposed. The model not only can discriminate objects in a given visual scene, but also can deliver focus of attention to the salient object. Moreover, it processes a combination of relevant features of an input scene, such as intensity, color, orientation, and the contrast of them. In comparison to other visual selection approaches, this model presents several interesting features. It is able to capture attention of objects in complex forms, including those linearly nonseparable. Moreover, computer simulations show that the model produces results similar to those observed in natural vision systems.

A systematic review of triage-related interventions to improve patient flow in emergency departments

Background Overcrowding in emergency departments is a worldwide problem. A systematic literature review was undertaken to scientifically explore which interventions improve patient flow in emergency departments. Methods A systematic literature search for flow processes in emergency departments was followed by assessment of relevance and methodological quality of each individual study fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Studies were excluded if they did not present data on waiting time, length of stay, patients leaving the emergency department without being seen or other flow parameters based on a nonselected material of patients. Only studies with a control group, either in a randomized controlled trial or in an observational study with historical controls, were included. For each intervention, the level of scientific evidence was rated according to the GRADE system, launched by a WHO-supported working group. Results The interventions were grouped into streaming, fast track, team triage, point-of-care testing (performing laboratory analysis in the emergency department), and nurse-requested x-ray. Thirty-three studies, including over 800,000 patients in total, were included. Scientific evidence on the effect of fast track on waiting time, length of stay, and left without being seen was moderately strong. The effect of team triage on left without being seen was relatively strong, but the evidence for all other interventions was limited or insufficient. Conclusions Introducing fast track for patients with less severe symptoms results in shorter waiting time, shorter length of stay, and fewer patients leaving without being seen. Team triage, with a physician in the team, will probably result in shorter waiting time and shorter length of stay and most likely in fewer patients leaving without being seen. There is only limited scientific evidence that streaming of patients into different tracks, performing laboratory analysis in the emergency department or having nurses to request certain x-rays results in shorter waiting time and length of stay.

Constructive alignment in Computer Engineering and Informatics departments at Dalarna University : An empirical investigation

Background: Constructive alignment (CA) is a pedagogical approach that emphasizes the alignment between the intended learning outcomes (ILOs), teaching and learning activities (TLAs) and assessment tasks (ATs) as well as creation of a teaching/learning environment where students will be able to actively create their knowledge. Objectives: This paper aims at investigating the extent of constructively-aligned courses in Computer Engineering and Informatics department at Dalarna University, Sweden. This study is based on empirical observations of teacher’s perceptions of implementation of CA in their courses. Methods: Ten teachers (5 from each department) were asked to fill a paper-based questionnaire, which included a number of questions related to issues of implementing CA in courses. Results: Responses to the items of the questionnaire were mixed. Teachers clearly state the ILOs in their courses and try to align the TLAs and ATs to the ILOs. Computer Engineering teachers do not explicitly communicate the ILOs to the students as compared to Informatics teachers. In addition, Computer Engineering teachers stated that their students are less active in learning activities as compared to Informatics teachers. When asked about their subjective ratings of teaching methods all teachers stated that their current teaching is teacher-centered but they try to shift the focus of activity from them to the students. Conclusions: From teachers’ perspectives, the courses are partially constructively-aligned. Their courses are “aligned”, i.e. ILOs, TLAs and ATs are aligned to each other but they are not “constructive” since, according to them, there was a low student engagement in learning activities, especially in Computer Engineering department.

Fire Incidences, Water Bodies, and Population in Maine

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FIRE HAZARD IN COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA

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Fire Hazard in Coconino County, Arizona

Fire is a major management issue in the southwestern United States. Three spatial models of fire risk for Coconino County, Northern Arizona. These models were generated using thematic data layers depicting vegetation, elevation, wind speed and direction, and precipitation for January (winter), June (summer), and July (start of monsoon season). ArcGIS 9.0 was used to weight attributes in raster layers to reflect their influence on fire risk and to interpolate raster data layers from point data. Final models were generated using the raster calculator in the Spatial Analyst extension of ArcGIS 9.0. Ultimately, the unique combinations of variables resulted in three different models illustrating the change in fire risk during the year.

Efeitos organizacionais da implantação de metas e remuneração variável por desempenho: o caso da segurança pública em Minas Gerais

Quais os efeitos práticos que a cobrança de metas provoca nas instituições e nos servidores públicos? E quando se vincula premiações financeiras a elas, qual o resultado? O Brasil vive uma onda recente de implantação de modelos de remuneração variável por desempenho no setor público. Minas Gerais universalizou o sistema em 2008, implantando o Acordo de Resultados e o Prêmio por Produtividade, já tendo gasto 1,3 bilhão de reais com o programa. Mas o otimismo dos gestores não encontra fundamento na teoria. A literatura mostra que sistemas de remuneração variável no setor público fracassam ou têm sucesso muito limitado (OCDE, 2005; Perry, Engbergs e Jun, 2009; Bowman, 2010; Weibel, Rost e Osterloh 2010). Conflitos, dificuldade de mensuração do desempenho, fraude e incapacidade de motivar servidores públicos têm direcionado experiências de incentivo ao fracasso. Alguns poucos estudos mostram que, sob certas condições, a remuneração variável por desempenho pode gerar resultados positivos (Marsden, 2010). Seria o sistema mineiro capaz de superar o pessimismo dos especialistas e alcançar resultados positivos? Quais mecanismos de fato operam quando se implementa metas e remuneração variável em instituições públicas? Este trabalho busca responder estas questões a partir do estudo de caso de três organizações da segurança pública em Minas Gerais: Polícia Militar, Polícia Civil e Corpo de Bombeiros Militar. Foram feitas 46 entrevistas com policiais, bombeiros e com a cúpula das instituições, analisados dados estatísticos – que avaliam a evolução do desempenho, observação participante e monitoramento da percepção da mídia sobre tais efeitos. O resultado mostra que metas e incentivos financeiros geraram profundas mudanças nas instituições pesquisadas. Na Polícia Civil houve crescimento da produtividade, aumento do controle e melhoria de processos internos. Entretanto, o foco na produção quantitativa de inquéritos gerou incentivos para a redução de sua qualidade. Na Polícia Militar observou-se impacto menor, uma vez que esta já havia auferido no passado recente ganhos que o uso de indicadores e metas poderia proporcionar. Ainda assim, observou-se aumento da cobrança interna de resultados. Esse fato foi um dos fatores que contribuiu para um efeito negativo importante: a reclassificação de crimes. Uma estrutura de incentivos e a ausência de obstáculos levaram alguns policiais a reclassificar crimes que tinham natureza próxima para melhorar as estatísticas de suas unidades. No Corpo de Bombeiros o impacto foi altamente positivo, levando a instituição a conceber novas estratégias, gerando ganhos importantes de produtividade e melhoria de resultados para o cidadão. O resultado mostra que metas e incentivos financeiros são muito poderosos e podem gerar resultados positivos ou negativos, dependendo da forma como são implementados. As evidências contradizem, em parte, o pessimismo dos acadêmicos e descortinam o funcionamento dos mecanismos que fazem metas e remuneração variável interferirem no resultado de organizações públicas.

Log smoldering after an Amazonian deforestation fire

The characteristics of log smoldering after an Amazonian deforestation fire are described. The experiment was carried out in 2001 at the Caiabi farm, near the city of Alta Floresta, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, as part of a set of tests that have been performed in the same area since 1997. A 200 x 200m(2) test area was slashed in the beginning of June and burned on 20 August. The area contained 507 logs with diameter at breast height (DBH) higher than 10 cm, per hectare. In the day following the main burn 59 logs were found to remain smoldering, a number that corresponds to 2.9% of the total in the area. We chose 11 of the 59 logs to have their smoldering process monitored. Their diameter, moisture content and CHN dry biomass composition after the plot burn and before smoldering were determined. Other parameters such as temperature distribution while smoldering, porosity, density and mass volatilized during thermogravimetric test were also determined. Average smoldering speeds were in the range from 0.8 to 1.5 cm h(-1) for logs that smoldered without transition to the flaming regime. The average speed increased to 2.1 cm h(-1) for those logs that oscillated between smoldering and flaming. The speeds were lower overnight as compared to values determined during daytime for the same log. Higher log moisture contents were found to produce decreased speeds. Micro-porous biomass was not observed in the set of the 11 selected logs. Smoldering was observed to occur at substantial intensity in crossing of logs, with no longitudinal propagation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biomass consumption and CO2, CO and main hydrocarbon gas emissions in an Amazonian forest clearing fire

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pustular dermatosis caused by fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) stings in a dog

This paper reports a case of spontaneous fire ant sting dermatitis in canine. The skin lesions consisted of nonfollicular, grouped pustules in the abdominal region. Several fire ants were found attached to the lesional skin. Histopathological findings included an intraepidermal neutrophilic pustule and predominantly neutrophilic interstitial dermatitis. An extensive area of collagen degeneration was also observed below the epidermal pustule. These clinical and histopathological findings are remarkable similar to those observed in fire ant stings in humans.

Stem protective tissue in Erythroxylum tortuosum (Erythroxylaceae), a fire tolerant species from cerrado

The origin and structure are described of the secondary protective tissue in the stem of Erythorxylum tortuosum Mart., a fire tolerant shrubby species common in Brazilian cerrado. The highly tortuous stems are covered with thick bark which is more developed at the base of the stem. After fire in the cerrado, rhytidome fragments of the burned stem flake off, revealing newly formed cork. The first periderm appears near of the terminal buds and is iniated by periclinal divisions in subepidermal cells giving rise to radial rows of cells. The first phellogen is discernible only after the differentiation of the several radial rows of cork cells. Other phellogens have their origin in successively deeper layers of the cortex. The sucessive periderms are discontinuous around the circumference. The collapsed cells with phenolic substances and the accumulated dead cells cause the formation of discontinuous blackish lines, which delimit the sucessive periderms in the rhytidome. The rhytidome contains large quantities of sclereids developed from cell wall thickening of cortex cells. The occurrence of periderm, in the young parts of the stem and of rhytidome in the older parts represents pyrophytic characteristics and may explain, in part, the fire tolerance of this species.

General morphology and ultrastructure of the venom apparatus and convoluted gland of the fire ant, Solenopsis saevissima

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Proteomic View of the Venom from the Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta Buren

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)